Sustainable Tourism in Galapagos

At Galapatours, we believe that tourism should be a force for good. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most unique and fragile ecosystems on Earth, and we are committed to ensuring that every cruise we offer supports its long-term protection. As a marketplace for Galapagos expedition cruises, we work only with operators who share our values and meet rigorous sustainability standards.

Tourism is both a blessing and a challenge for the Galapagos Islands. On one hand, each visitor helps finance conservation. The National Park entrance fee alone generates over $20 million annually, directly funding protection of the land and marine reserves. On the other hand, tourism requires infrastructure: more housing, energy, food imports, and waste management. That's why it’s critical to make sure that every visit is as low-impact and beneficial as possible.

The Galapagos are one of the world’s clearest examples of how strict protection and tourism can reinforce each other. About 97% of the land is protected as Galapagos National Park, and the surrounding waters form a tightly regulated marine reserve. Park fees and permits from visitors finance conservation, while strict rules keep the impact as low as possible. Key elements that make Galapagos a best-practice case:

We are not a tour operator. Instead, we help you compare and book Galapagos expedition cruises from over 60 licensed vessels, ranging from 16-passenger catamarans to 100-passenger ships. We vet every provider based on:

• Environmental practices: fuel efficiency, waste and water management, sustainable sourcing
• Park licensing and compliance with Galapagos National Park rules
• Certified naturalist guides, trained and licensed by the Park Directorate
• Community support, including hiring locally and fair labor practices

The V Social Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been working to support community-based tourism groups for more than 20 years. With a focus on sustainability and local development needs, the foundation helps strengthen local communities in the places we visit, preserve their cultures, and partner with them on the path to self-management. Many of our trips include a donation to V Social, and our travelers have the opportunity to visit projects during their travels to witness the positive impact community-based tourism has on both travelers and host communities.

Our team is a passionate, international group of travel enthusiasts who deeply care about the places we specialize in. We believe that living our values makes us better at what we do, which is why we regularly set aside time for company-wide initiatives. Our FUN days strengthen our team spirit through shared adventures, while FOCUS days allow us to tackle big projects together. Regular FAIR days give back to our communities—whether by supporting local charities or helping clean up the environment.

To ensure we stay true to our commitments, our dedicated CSR team meets regularly with representatives to review our practices and make sure we’re putting our values into action. We also work closely with the V Social Foundation and ensure that every decision we make, from the executive level to operations on the ground, is made with our commitment to responsible travel in mind.

We’re committed to work-life balance and invest in the personal and professional growth of our team, ensuring that passion and purpose drive everything we do. We live, breathe, and deliver on our values, and so do our suppliers and tour leaders. Improving the lives of the people we work with, those who work with us, and their families is paramount to us.

A portion of your trip price goes toward Ventura’s Conservation Project, an initiative of the V Social Foundation launched in 2024. The Conservation Project works with local people to give them ownership of their territory, protects the environment through reforestation and regeneration efforts, and prepares the community for taking over control of the project within five years. So, your trip contributes to environmental protection and truly shows how travel can be a force for good! Together, we’re developing something really special. Stay tuned for more details about how you are part of making a difference through tourism.

As an active member of the Round Table on Human Rights in Tourism for many years, we verify that for all our trips and our partners respect the legal provisions in terms of wages and employment, especially for young people. Moreover, through the V Social Foundation, we actively support local communities in defending human rights by promoting gender equality, building capacity for access to quality jobs, and strengthening cultural identity to prevent discrimination. See here: https://www.vsocialfoundation.org/what-we-do

We are certified by TourCert and undergo a detailed review of all business areas every two years. TourCert GmbH is a non-profit organization for certifications in tourism and has set itself the task of promoting ecological, social, and economic corporate responsibility in tourism.

The Forum Anders Reisen e.V. is an association of travel companies that are committed to sustainable tourism. The travel experiences offered by their members are oriented towards people and the environment, use local resources carefully and purposefully, and treat foreign cultures with respect. The forum Anders Reisen was founded in 1998 and has around 130 members.

Responsible travel is a way of life. Embracing sustainability not only ensures the preservation of natural wonders and local cultures, but also fosters a deeper appreciation for how interconnected we are with other people and the environment.

To find out more about our work, our style of travel, or how you can get involved, talk with your travel specialist.

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At Galapatours, we are committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. Known Accessibility Limitations:

• Some images may lack alternative text.
• Certain color contrasts may not meet recommended ratios.
• Some forms may not have properly associated labels.

We are actively working to address these issues. If you encounter any accessibility barriers, please contact us at [email protected].